Silkie Chicken

Silkies are often mistakenly called a bantam breed, and although some countries do consider them a bantam, this varies according to region and many breed standards class them officially as large fowl. The bantam Silkie is actually a separate variety, which is a well-tempered miniature version of a standard Silkie, with no defining characteristics besides smaller size. Almost all North American strains of the breed are bantam sized, but in Europe the large is the original version. Silkie plumage is unique among chicken breeds; Silkie-like feathering may appear as a recessive mutation in individuals of other varieties, but no other true breed has it. It has been compared to silk,[7] and to fur. Their feathers lack functioning barbicels, and are thus similar to down on other birds and leave Silkies unable to fly. The overall result is a soft, fluffy appearance.